Thyroid cancer is a tumor that develops in the thyroid gland. Symptoms may include an enlarged thyroid gland, sore throat, and fatigue.
The incidence of thyroid cancer has increased in recent decades, possibly due to advances in diagnostic techniques. According to 2020 figures, more than 950,000 people in the United States have thyroid cancer.
Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma: As the most common type of thyroid cancer, this accounts for about 80 percent of all thyroid cancer cases. Papillary thyroid cancer is usually slow-growing, easy to treat, and has a favorable prognosis.
Follicular Thyroid Carcinoma: Follicular thyroid carcinoma accounts for about 15 percent of all thyroid cancers. These are like papillary thyroid carcinomas but have a higher rate of metastasis.
Medullary Thyroid Carcinoma: These account for about 2 percent of all thyroid cancers. Medullary thyroid cancer arises in the C cells of the thyroid gland, which secrete a hormone called thyrocalcitonin. Medullary thyroid cancer usually does not absorb iodine and cannot be treated with iodine radiation.
Anaplastic Thyroid Carcinoma: This is the rarest type of thyroid cancer, accounting for about 2 percent of all thyroid cancer cases. Anaplastic thyroid carcinoma is malignant, fast-growing, and has a poor prognosis.
Early stages of thyroid cancer are often asymptomatic, making it difficult to detect. However, when it enters the more advanced stage, some of the following symptoms may occur:
Currently, the cause of thyroid cancer is still not fully understood. However, the following are known risk factors that may be associated with developing thyroid cancer:
It is worth noting that most thyroid nodules do not develop into thyroid cancer.
A study published in Scientific Reports in 2019 found that the more cotinine in the urine, the worse the thyroid function. Cotinine is a nicotine metabolite in tobacco, a key indicator of how much a person smokes.
In short, good eating habits, avoiding radiation exposure, regular inspection of thyroid function, and monitoring changes in thyroid nodules are all essential to prevent thyroid diseases. If you’re concerned about whether you are at risk, speak with your doctor.